Although the Bulls led 43-37 at the half, shooting problems were merely a negative in a half they were just happy to get out of alive. Afterward, it was a full-fledged problem, bottoming out in a fourth quarter when they were outscored 34-18. Their final shooting percentage was a putrid 35.6 percent. The Pacers weren't much better at 41.9, but in that last frame, it seemed like they couldn't miss. That made all the difference. All the Bulls could do was watch as the Pacers played like a team riding the momentum of their first 5-0 start. It's tough to put on the breaks when you're feeling it.
Paul George led all scorers like the franchise player he is with 21 points, but his supporting cast was just as lethal. David West had a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds while Roy Hibbert came close to one of his own with an 8-and-10 line. Those boards for Hibbert were split evenly on both ends and just for good measure, he lived up to his reputation as a blocker with five.
Indiana's starting backcourt of Lance Stephenson and C.J. Watson also reached double figures, as did Luis Scola off the bench. Any team that plays with this much balance will always be a threat. If you don't disrupt their strategy, they'll only be too happy to make you pay. The Pacers will do plenty of that this year.
Derrick Rose shared a 17-point total with Luol Deng to lead the Bulls, but you could clearly see he's still getting back into regular-game shape. Four games in and he still hasn't cracked 20. He shot just 6-of-15 tonight despite occasional flashes of what makes him great. He won't struggle like this all year, but it's still disheartening to actually see what we might have expected in his early return to competition. He can only improve from here, so let's observe it.
Kirk Hinrich was the only other Bulls to hit double figures with 12. Even so, he looked like a player trying to give it all he's got even though his skills have diminished with age. Nothing looked effortless from him. He never has been a bang-bang player despite his best efforts. It would be nice to see him accomplish more of this, which would be valuable. It's just too bad this came on a bad night.
Whether it's been bad luck with hot opponents or just being unable to solve their offensive problems, the Bulls know this can't go on all season. They know they're better than what they've shown so far, despite recent evidence to the contrary. The starters need to find the right wind and the bench players need to be comfortable in the roles they were brought here for. Either all of them don't recognize it yet or they can't contribute as much as advertised (I'm looking at YOU, Mike Dunleavy). If they want to avoid an epic letdown after the high expectations, all of this must be resolved before the calendar flips to 2014, preferably much sooner.
The 1-3 Bulls get back at it Friday at home against the Utah Jazz. Head coach Tyrone Corbin is said to be in hot water due to his team's 0-5 start. Time for the Bulls to push him closer out of a job. More than that, they need to do it for themselves so they can get back on track. The cure for what ails them is out there somewhere, and a struggling team unsure of its direction might be it.
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